The document discusses the portrayal of women's empowerment in selected Indian movies. It provides definitions of feminism from dictionaries and discusses Simone de Beauvoir's work The Second Sex. It then analyzes how movies like English Vinglish (2012), Dangal (2016), and Pink (2016) portray empowered women overcoming challenges like gender discrimination, lack of education, and sexual assault. These movies convey messages about how women can gain independence and equality through skills, confidence, and asserting their rights.

1. Portrayal of Women’s
Empowerment in Selected
Indian Movies

2. Name:Aamena Rangwala
Roll no:- 1
Enrollment no:- 4069206420210028
Batch:- 2021-23
Email id:- aamenarangwala51@gmail.com
Subject:-Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies
Paper:- 204
Submitted to:- Department of English Maharaja
Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

3. Definition of Feminism
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary belief in and advocacy of the political,
economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized
activity on behalf of women’s rights.
According to Britannica feminism, the belief in social, economic, and
political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in the West, feminism
is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to
activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

4. The Second Sex
By Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir argued in her most famous work, The Second Sex that men
are able to mystify women. This mystification and stereotyping instrumental in
creating patriarchy. She argued that women, in turn, accepted this stereotype, and
were thus instruments of their own oppression. In fact, women are measured by
the standard of men and found ‘inferior’. This is the process of othering where
women will always be seen, not as independent or unique but as a flawed version
of the male. Men and women are, therefore, constantly engaged in this subject-
other relationships where the man is the subject and the woman the other.

5. Feminism, the empowerment of women, and gender equality are frequently discussed concepts in
contemporary India. The film industry, among other stakeholders, is taking steps to contribute to women’s
empowerment Women’s roles have changed significantly in modern life. In earlier times,
the roles of women were restricted by rituals and patriarchy. Recently, the status of
women has been elevated above previous conventions, enabling women to take part in
business, politics, law, science, medicine, sports and cinema.
Introduction

6. Movie and Societal Transformation
The Indian film industry has changed the way it portrays women.
Contemporary movies give more importance to women and portray them
as well- educated, economically independent, confident, socially active,
reform- minded, and goal- oriented. Thus the contribution of Indian movies
towards the empowerment of women is a notable one. With example of
some Indian movies that deal with the issue of how women can become
more empowered.

7. Movie English Vinglish 2012
The story of an ordinary Indian housewife Shashi who gains a new outlook on
life by learning to speak English. Shashi runs a small business on her premises
in India. But her husband and her daughters mock her for being unable to
speak English. A series of circumstances requires her to face being alone in
New York City for 15 days without any assis-tance.
New York’s multicultural atmosphere is daunting. But Shashi rises to the
challenge, manages the situation, and even learns some English. Returning
home, she demonstrates her English knowledge to her husband and children,
who tell her that language cannot stop one’s growth.

8. Movie offers two messages. First, women can realize real freedom through
a powerful weapon called education, as it has the power to change their
lives. Second, language should not be used as a yardstick to measure the
value of a person. This movie contains a two- part guide for how women can
attain self- actualization in modern India.

9. Dangal (2016)
Dangal reveals the gender discrimination in sports in India. This movie
reveals the struggles of two young women, Geeta and Babita Phogat, the
daughters of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a professional wrestler. Initially, when
their father forces them to go through painful training to become wrestlers
themselves, they hate him for it.
Eventually, they realize why he has made them suffer to make them
stronger and more agile. They are inspired by their father and begin to take
their training more seriously. At first, they are reluctant to compete with with
boys, but their father says there is no difference in sports.

10. When they learn that they can win matches against boys, they gain self-
confidence. In this way, the father overcomes gender discrimination and shows
that gender equality is possible in sports.
This movie has raised awareness in India that boys and girls need equal
opportunities to develop their skill in sports. Society can be transformed in the
process, as people learn that equal opportunity and gender equality can
release the power of all individuals.

11. Pink (2016)
Movie Pink reveals a lot about women and how society views them.
Three professional women live together in an apart-ment. Through a
male friend, they meet Rajveer Singh at a music concert. Rajveer and
his friends invite the women to a party at a resort. At the party, they are
having drinks, which Rajveer believes is a sign that the women are
primed to have sex, so he and the others act on that belief.
The women resist and fight. In the fight, Minal hits Rajveer on the head
with a bottle, injuring him. This sets in motion the conflict that drives the
story. Rajveer wants revenge on the women.

12. In her view, she hit Rajveer in self- defense to avoid being molested or raped.
Rajveer is angry because of his hurt pride, so he presses charges of assault
against Minal. By filing a police report before the women do, he gains the upper
hand in the legal proceeding.
Only through the skillful work of Minal’s attorney does the full truth come to light.
In effect, the lawyer puts society on trial for tolerating men’s violence toward
women whose only “crime” is agreeing to spend time with single men.

13. The fundamental questions raised by the movie involve attitudes toward
proper female behavior and why women are considered wrong merely by
meeting with men.
● Why do so many consider the women sluts if they wear short skirts?
● Should drinking alcohol make women targets of male aggression?
● Why are women always on the receiving end— considered guilty before a
trial begins?
● Why do people resist respecting the choices made by women?
● Why should men assume women are offering sex merely because the
women agree to meet with them?

14. The problem ultimately lies not with women who exercise autonomy, but
with men who are not able to handle autono-mous and opinionated
women. The narrow- minded men always try to limit the freedom of
women by questioning their morality.
For their safety and well- being, women should have the right to fight off
anyone who seeks to take advantage of them. Women are not puppets
or objects to be used. This movie raises an important issue, but it is only
one issue among many; it is like taking a drop of water from an ocean.

15. Resources
Burkett, Elinor and Brunell, Laura. "feminism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2021,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/feminism. Accessed 6 October 2022.
De Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. United Kingdom, Random House, 2014.
“English Vinglish Movie Review {4/5}: Critic Review of English Vinglish by Times of India.” The Times of India, The
Times of India, 4 Oct. 2012, https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/english-vinglish/movie-
review/16665894.cms.
“Feminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/feminism. Accessed 6 Oct.2022.
Iyer, Meena. “Pink Movie Review {4.5/5}: Critic Review of Pink by Times of India.” The Times of India, The Times
of India, 14 Sept. 2016, https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pink/movie-
review/54325066.cms.
Vaisnavi, K. (2019). "Feminism in the Movies Iruthi Suttru and Dangal." Journal of Emerging Technologies and
Innovative Research 6(3): 30-32. https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRAF06009

16. Thank you